PODCAST
Apples To Apples
May 29th, 2013
Matthew 7:15-23
Some years ago we moved into a house with what I thought was a large bush in the backyard. It was 10 to 12 feet tall with branches reaching all the way to the ground. That fall while raking leaves I noticed something hanging from a branch, a small shriveled apple full of worm holes. “We have an apple tree,” I told my wife. I read up on the care of apple trees. I carefully pruned, sprayed, and cared for the tree. The next spring the tree was covered with beautiful blossoms. In the fall we picked buckets full of beautiful red apples. I recognized the tree by its fruit.
Jesus tells us to do the same with people who claim authority from God or to have a relationship with Him; “By their fruit you will recognize them” (v. 20). With proper care and attention a nearly barren tree with bad fruit can become a healthy tree with abundant fruit. However, even if you tied apples onto a thorn bush it would not become an apple tree. It would remain a fraud.
There is no substitute for genuine faith and a living day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ.
Author: Duane C. Brush
May 29th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
In reality, fruit is typically known for its refreshing characteristics
(different from the world). Fruit that isn’t ripe is sour or bitter.
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t too soft, hard, muchy, or mealy, etc., it’s just right. Galatians 5:22-23